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Friday, January 27, 2012

The State We're InJonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective.

This week: Freedom’s road

The first Western media interview of Imad Ghalioun, the Syrian politician who defected recently, a Wikileaks pioneer and politician from Iceland who helped make public the 'collateral murder' video, and a former East German cyclist who defected just before he went to the Olympics.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

Earth BeatMarnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we’re leaving on our planet.

This week:

A show full of fun and games. From forest kindergartens and forsaking a childhood in the woods for the concrete of the suburbs, to generating power on a merry-go-round. Ooh, and how to play a pig. Fooling around for the sake of our planet, and why it’s important to play.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia WiredStories from South Asia.

This week:

We hear about the opening media landscape in Burma during an unprecedented time of reform and why Dutch photographer Frans Welman fell in love with the Nagas, who live in the rarely visited region of Nagaland in India’s northeast.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday 2 February)

First airing: Thursday 10:00 UTC

Bridges With AfricaWe're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa.

This week:

The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor has ruled that there is enough evidence to put four of Kenya’s leading politicians on trial for crimes against humanity. But should the ICC be meddling in Africa’s affairs? We report from Kenya and The Hague.How to get around town the 'green' way – the skateboarding craze hitting Nairobi’s streets.High-tech music from the desert - with Mali’s Super Onze.

Figures released by the World Health Organisation in January 2012 show that Africa is the most dangerous place in the world to get pregnant. And ending a pregnancy is highly dangerous too. In Africa, 29,000 women die every year as a result of unsafe abortions.

This is a public health emergency and the issue of unsafe abortions was high on the agenda at the World Conference on Family Planning, held last year in the Seneglese capital Dakar.

During that conference, we spoke with three medical doctors who have had first-hand experience with the consequences of unsafe abortions and are determined to improve reproductive health for women.

First airing: Monday 19:00 UTC

Commonwealth StoryA selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2010 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

This week: The nearly departed soul - by Rosemarie Johnson Clarke (Bahamas). An irrepressible great grandmother.

First airing: Tuesday 01:50 UTC

Global PerspectiveWho says I can’t… is the motto of this year’s collaboration of international broadcasters, offering stories of defiance and perseverance.

This week: Who says we can’t be gay, Muslim, and successful?

Elkader is a small town in the center of the American Midwest. It’s not where you’d expect to find a gay couple starting an Algerian restaurant. But this town in Iowa was named after a 19th-century Algerian jihadist. WAMU radio takes us to Elkader to see how the residents have found their way through the Islamophobia debate.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

European Jazz StageUnique jazz performances from the continent’s hottest clubs, concert halls and festivals, including the spectacular North Sea Jazz Festival.

This week:

A triple Dutch edition this week, featuring three ensembles from the rich jazz scene of the Netherlands.

Pianist Peter Beets and his New York quartet take on Frédéric Chopin. Saxophonist Ben van Gelder brings his scrapple from the Big Apple, and saxophonist Ad Colen leads his quartet to new heights in Dutch jazz.

First airing: Monday 01:00 UTC

RNW ClassicalClassical concerts from the Royal Concertgebouw as well as studio recordings of Dutch performers, presented by Hans Haffmans.

4747.6, Radio Kashmir, Leh, -1631*, Jan 10 and 11. Even after many weeks, still continues on this odd frequency instead of 4760. I could not get the proper audio at my location. (Jacob). On Jan 10, at 1330-1450, the stronger than usual open carrier, but as normal unable to confirm any audio due to adjacent QRM from Bangladesh Betar and CNR1 mixing together on 4750. It is of some comfort to learn that even at your location in India, you do not have the best of audio from them. (Howard). It was not heard on 4747.6 Jan 17 evening or Jan 18 morning. However some suspected carrier was noted by Victor Goonetilleke and myself drifting up and down near 4720 around 1615 to past 1630, Jan 17. I have spoken to the Station Engineer at Radio Kashmir, Leh Jan, 18 and informed him of 4760 frequency variation problem. He told me, that his SW transmitter is having problems and they are attending to it. E-mail is not working well there. He also informed, that it is heavily snowing there now with maximum temperature Minus 16 degrees Centigrade! (Jacob)

4775, AIR Imphal. Regarding my logging at 0000-0040, Dec 24, in DX-Window no. 444. (Petersen). It is test that you heard. That station is heard often testing on SW around 0000 just before normal transmission starts. Many AIR stations are also similarily noted testing like that on MW before start of normal transmissions in the morning. Some of them are tests of standby transmitter. On SW I have observed only 4775 like that. (Jacob)

4820.86, AIR Kolkata, 1415-1440, Jan 15, Bengali (presumed) talk, best in USB due to interference from Xizang PBS 4820, 33443. (Petersen and Savolainen)

4840.01, AIR Mumbai, 0018-0030, Jan 23, Indian music. Weak. WWCR 3 is not up yet? Maybe their gone? (Bolland)

4910, AIR Jaipur, 1641-1643, Jan 17, talks, SINPO 25332. (Mille)

5010, AIR Thiruvananthapuram, 0035-0056, Jan 20. English news concluding with report of the Australian Open in tennis, 0040 into Malayalam with mix of talk and music, 0055 some type of promotional ann with fanfares, 0056 possibly news headlines, but fading badly now. Occasional QRM from possibly fisherman speaking in Spanish. Poor. Jan 20. Next evening, Jan 21, I was listening for their 0020 sign on and English news at 0035. Although a carrier was detectable at 0035, it was not until 0045 that the signal rose out of the noise. Malayalam vocals until 0057 when a man spoke. Very poor. (Sellers). Also heard at 1645-1648, Jan 17, talk, 34343 (Mille)(DX WIndow 446)

Bolivia6134.822, Radio Santa Cruz, 1045-1100. Male's comments at tune in to music. Program format continued until the hour with a female joining in now and then. The noise was bad this morning, however the Russian that has been here lately blocking Radio Santa Cruz, was not on the air today. Maybe it has moved somewhere else? Radio Santa Cruz was a poor level during the period. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Djibouti4780, Radio Djibouti, *0312-0334.* Abrupt sign on with Qur`an in progress. Arabic talk at 0316. Abruptly off the air at 0334. Poor in noisy conditions and occasional interference from two-way utility traffic. (Brian Alexander, PA)

4780, Radio Djibouti, 0318-0410. Tune-in to talk in unidentified language. Local tribal music at 0340. Some Horn of Africa style music. Poor to fair in noisy conditions. Improved to fair to good levels at 0340.(Brian Alexander,PA)

4780, Radio Djibouti, 2045-2102.* Talk in unidentified language. Horn of Africa style music. Sign off with instrumental national anthem at 2101. Barely audible, threshold signal at tune-in, but improved to a very weak, but audible level by sign off. Jan 21.(Brian Alexander, PA)

4780, Radio Djibouti, 2140-2300.+ Talk in unidentified language. Some local African music. Poor in noisy conditions. On the air past 2300 but gone at 2340 check. Running past their normal 2100 sign off time. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Ecuador4918.98, Radio Quito, "me too" on this one. Bumped into big signal at 1033. Program of male/female in Spanish but mainly indigenous language (probably Quechua), reading items punctuated with bursts of musica ecuatoriana. Program ran to 1054 when nice ID, then orchestral version of HC national anthem (long form, with prelude, chorus, vocal middle section and grand wrap-up). Again, ID for Radio Quito afterward and then at 1100, into news show which sounded like "Noticiero Ecuadoradio" (?) presented by female in Spanish. After 1100, signal was much improved music. A few times heard some RTTY mixing with RQ, on same channel -- almost seemed same trnasmitter as Radio Quito. I wonder if they are sharing a utility transmitter for SW and using one of the sidebands for broadcast? (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre DX)

Peru4774.953, Radio Tarma, 1101-1115. Single male in Spanish with program comments. At 1106, second announcer joins in with comments, followed with promos and commercilas at 1107 UTC. Live comments at 1109. Signal was fair at times and dropping to poor at other times.(Chuck Bolland, FL)

Taiwan9440, Radio Taiwan Int’l, 1606 English. Man and woman with an item on Taiwanese political party, numerous IDs, addresses in Bangladesh and India, program “People” interviewing a hotel general manager. Fair. (Harold Sellers, Canada)

Solar activity reached moderate levels as Regions 1401 (N18, L=213, class/area Eki/540 on 19 January) and 1402 (N28, L=214, class/area Eko/630 on 17 January) both produced M-class events. Region 1401 produced an M1/1n on 17/0453Z and an M1/1n on 18/1912Z. Region 1402 followed with an M3/2n on 19/1605Z. The 19 January event was associated with and Type IV radio emission and a full halo CME. Type II emissions were detected on 19/1252Z and 19/1933Z with speeds of 933 km/s and 694 km/s respectively. Partial halo CMEs were also observed on 16 and 18 January. Activity decreased to very low levels late on 19 January. Isolated low-level C-class flares were observed on 20 - 22 January. Plage Region 1396 (N27, L=287, class/area Dao/110 on 17 January) produced a C1 flare at 20/2112Z associated with a Type II radio sweep (945 km/s) and a non-Earth-directed CME. Region 1402 produced a long-duration C1 flare at 20/2333Z associated with a weak Type IV radio sweep.

An enhancement of the greater than 10 MeV proton flux at geosynchronous orbit began around 20/0800Z and continued through the end of the period.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal to moderate levels the entire period.

Geomagnetic field conditions ranged from quiet to unsettled levels, with a brief excursion into active-major storm levels at high latitudes on 22 January. Field conditions were predominately quiet from 17-21 January. On 22 January, an interplanetary shock passed the ACE spacecraft at approximately 22/0514Z, likely indicating the arrival of the full-halo CME observed on 19 January in LASCO imagery. This was followed by a geomagnetic sudden impulse (SI) at 22/0614Z (31 nT observed by the boulder magnetometer). Field activity increased to unsettled to major storm levels at high latitudes following the SI.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 25 January - 20 February 2012

Solar activity is expected to be low with M-class flares likely until Regions 1401 and 1402 depart on 28 January. Predominantly quiet levels are expected for the remained of the period.

Protons greater than than 10 MeV are expected to remain above event threshold from 25 - 26 January. A return to background levels is expected for the remainer of the period.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels the entire period.

The geomagnetic field is expected to be at active to minor storm levels on 25 January as effects from the CME from 23 January wane. Quiet levels are expected on 26 January. Quiet to unsettled levels are expected on 27 January as a coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) becomes geoeffecitve. A return to quiet levels is expected until 02 - 03 February, with quiet to unsettled levels expected as another CH HSS becomes geoeffective. Predominantly quiet levels are expected from 04-08 February. Another CH HSS is expected to become geoeffective with quiet to unsettled levels expected from 09-10 February. Predominantly quiet levels are expected for the remainder of the period.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Jesse A. Finkelstein, host and producer of Blues Radio International, sends word, "that for a limited time, but at least through the month of March we will be mailing a free blues CD to anyone sending us a reception report for Blues Radio International (Monday 0200 UTC on 9955 kHz. Each new Monday show replays Thursday 0200 UTC). Might be of interest to listeners looking for more than just a QSL.

Blues Radio International brings Blues Music to a potential audience of tens of millions through Radio Miami International, a privately owned international broadcast station in Miami, Florida."We are excited to bring Blues Music to a worldwide audience, which includes both Blues enthusiasts and tens of millions of potential new Blues music fans" said Jesse Finklestein.

Programming is also streamed simultaneously for listeners at http://www.wrmi.net/The thirty minute program features the best in classical Blues music, as well as important new music from today's most promising Blues artists.

If you're a blues fan of Buddy Guy, Howling Wolf, Albert King, B.B. King and many more - tune into Blues Radio International. If reporting reception, tell them you read about it on the Shortwave Central blog.Gayle Van Horn

6134.823, Radio Santa Cruz, 0030-0100. Station is now a tough catch. Voice of Russia is on 6135 with a very strong signal, while RSC is half as strong being drown out by VOR. Noted a female in Spanish comments from Radio Santa Cruz. At 0035 noted music being presented. Signal remained at a threshold level however. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

6150, Radio Record, Sao Paulo (presumed), 2314-2332. Talk in Portuguese by man followed by pop ballad music. Talk by male/female announcers over music at 2322. Back to music at 2324 with a couple of English language selections ("Unforgettable", etc.) Portuguese talk by announcer duo at 2331. Poor to moderate signal strength with fading. Chinese talk sometimes heard faintly below. (Jim Evans, TN)

11780, Radio Nacional de Amazonia, Brasilia, 2306-2309. Talk in Portuguese between studio announcer and second man at remote location or on call-in. Pop ballad music at 2307. Moderate signal strength with little fading. (Jim Evans, TN)

Chad6164.96, RNT, 0427-0445. Audible after Radio Netherlands 6165 sign off at 0427. Local Afro-pop music. French announcements. Poor with weak interference from unidentified station on 6165. Possibly Zambia. (Brian Alexaner, PA)

Ecuador4814.98, Radio El Buen Pastor. Head at 1106 with Ecuadorian pasillos featuring guitars and piano. Usual high-voiced male announcer with timecheck at 1108, then back into pleasant program of folklorico music. Fair signal with usual blipping utility interference. One of the only places on the band to hear wonderful Ecuadorian folkloric music, the other being HCJB - Pichincha on 6050 kHz. Speaking of that, what is the source of the unid signal hetting HCJB at approx 6050.84, many mornings? Can never raise audio from it but certainly tantalizing. (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre DX)

Guyana3290, Voice of Guyana, Sparendaam, 0634-0640. Talk in English by man, apparently BBC programming. Poor signal with fading and lots of static making it difficult to understand the subject discussed. 1/13/2012 (Evans - TN)

4820.82 AIR Kolkata(presumed) 1356-1420. Mostly talk to occasional short music clip. Signal strength almost fair but no competition for the S-9 band noise. Would have been readable were it not for the noise. On this freq next three mornings. (John Wilkins, CO/Cumbre DX)

Indonesia4750.015, RRI Makassar, 1145-1200. Noted a female in Indonesian with comments until about 1148 when music is heard. Specifically hear a female singing. Signal remain a threshold level during the period. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

Libya11600, Radio Télévision Libye - Radio Libye, *1612-1806* Station sign on with French talk and lite French instrumental music. French ballads. IDs. Talk. Fair, but some occasional strong noise. (Brian Alexander, PA)

5995, RTVM, 0645-0701* Various male/female announcements in Arabic to indigenous music bits. Announcer's tentative ID at 0700. Music bit into talk then pulled the plug. Signal weak but clear and fair at best. (Scott Barbour, NH)

North Korea11680, KCBS, Kanggye, 2251-2300. Classical vocal music with announcements in Korean by woman between selecions. Announcements by woman at 2259 followed by pips on the hour, and more talk. Poor signal with fading and Portuguese language co-channel interference. Stronger parallel noted on 9665. (Jim Evans, TN)

Peru5038.18, Radio Libertad de Junin. Came here from Tarma at 1035 and found fairly good signal, certainly best Andean signal on the band. Morning folklorico program, nice huaynos with yipping singers backed by guitars. At 1040 reverb taped ads followed by very nice, live ID by announcer "...en la ciudad de Junin, amables oyentes, ustedes escuchando a Radio Libertad . . . esperando le gusta . . . la musica nacional . . " Then into huayno with lady and guitar. (Ralph Perry,IL/Cumbre DX)

6173.931, Radio Tawantinsuyo, 0050-0100. Noted a truly threshold signal here with music until 0052 when a male comments for a minute. Language seemed to be Spanish, but uncertain due to weakness of the signal. Station remained active, but dropped into the noise as the top of the hour approached.(Chuck Bolland,FL)

Dear listeners and friends of the short waves and Radio Bulgaria, With a huge regret to inform you very bad news. After more than 75 years in the world broadcasting from January 31, 2012 at 2200UT Radio Bulgaria cease broadcasting on short and medium waves. The solution is that Radio Bulgaria is not necessary now its short waves and medium waves listeners. The reason -no money for broadcast on short and medium waves. And who listens to short waves today? Already has internet. Maintaining the short waves was "Mission Impossible"! Hope dies last. As a frequency manager in the last 19 years my main task was to provide best quality signal of Radio Bulgaria in worldwide coverage. There will be no short waves, there will be no frequency manager.For all people who work in Radio Bulgaria that bad news is shock and horror Beginning of the end. But expect your moral support.

After almost seven decades, a former Dutch resistance fighter admits she assassinated the wrong man. A Canadian woman tries to help the poor and finds her idealism challenged. An out lesbian photographer tries to create beauty amongst the violence she and other gay women face in South Africa. And an ex-Mafia princess explains her struggle to go straight.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

Earth BeatMarnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we’re leaving on our planet.

This week:

It may be cold outside, but we’re warming to winter, meeting people who like to feel the chill. From a husky dog breeder to a long distance skater, to the man who helps improve the lives of people who live in winter cities.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia WiredStories from South Asia.

This week:

Manika Jha, a 23-year-old Nepalese journalist, is threatened in her own country because she isn’t afraid to write about the oppression of Nepalese women in the Tharai region. She was in the Netherlands and South Asia Wired spoke to her.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday 19 January)

First airing: Thursday 10:00 UTC

Bridges With AfricaWe're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa.

This week:

Somalis living in the Netherlands protest over Dutch plans to ban the mild narcotic, khat.Revered for defeating apartheid, but is South Africa’s liberation movement any good at government? We have a special report on the ANC, 100 years old this month.The Ethiopian Krar Collective revisit the ancient music of their native homeland.

Europe has been fascinated with Africa for centuries. This is reflected in recent work of a young academic who wanted to know how people experience music in the capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown. To conduct his research, he didn’t visit libraries. Instead he went to bars and discos and music shops and asked how certain beats move and inspire Freetonians.

For this original perspective the German-Polish anthropologist won the yearly Africa thesis award presented by the Africa Studies Centre in Leiden in the Netherlands.

First airing: Monday 19:00 UTC

Commonwealth StorySelection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2010 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

This week: Education for life - by Anna Lewis (UK). A young woman is determined to transform herself.

First airing: Tuesday 01:50 UTC

Global PerspectivveWho says I can’t… is the motto of this year’s collaboration of international broadcasters, offering stories of defiance and perseverance.

This week: Who says I can’t escape?

Canada is a nation of immigrants. Its self-image as a safe haven for refugees is a point of national pride. But there is always a gatekeeper, a bureaucrat in an immigration office who says you can - or can’t - come in. And that’s where broadcaster Natasha Fatah begins the story of Eduardo Lopez in her documentary Escape from Honduras, from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

European Jazz StageUnique jazz performances from the continent’s hottest clubs, concert halls and festivals, including the spectacular North Sea Jazz Festival.

This week:

Fusion is jazz's second nature. Mixing styles and ideas has been part of jazz culture right from the start, a century ago.

AustraliaVMC Charleville Meteo, Charleville QLD, 16546 USB. Full data logo/flaEe-QSL in two days for an email English report. Thanks for Alokesh Gupta for pointing me to the correct person to send the reports to! You can send yours to Mr. Navin Chandran, N.Chandran@bom.gov.au. Navin informs me that the previous QSL Manager, Mike Dalakis, has retired and he has assumed Mike's duties. (Al Muick, PA)

ClandestineRadio Mada International, 15670 kHz. E-QSL from Christian Lehmann. Received in 45 days for E-report to radiomada.int.gmail.com (T Banks, TX)

France3AC Monaco Radio, 8728 kHz. Date only notation on QSL sheet (photo and letter). Received in 11 days for two IRCs and English airmail report. QSL is in French with a short thank you in English. (Muick)

French GuyanaRadio Taiwan relay, 9840 kHz. Full data Taiwan skyline card, unsigned. Received in 38 days for English report. (Banks).

GermanyNHK/Radio Japan 15445 kHz relay via Wertachtal, Germany to the Middle East. Full data Kochi Prefecture QSL card with transmitter site notation. Also received a program schedule and a blank reception report from. Received in 38 days. (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, Canada)

RussiaSt. Petersburg Regional Center, 6135 kHz. Full data commemorative QSL card in 13 days for English email report on Spanish Vof Russia program, signed by MikhailTimofeyev. Also sent very beautiful 10th anniversary pennant which will hang proudly on my wall. Truly a beautiful card showing the beauty of the St. Petersburg area and broadcast tower. (Muick)

United Arab EmiratesPolish Radio Warsaw relay via Abu Dhabi 9650 kHz. Verification letter from Slawek Szefs. Received in 56 days for letter to Warsaw address. (Hillton)

Good daytime propagation continues from Asia into Melbourne on 11 MHz in theafternoon window 0400 to 0500.

This band is dominated by many transmissions from China, including someregional services, which is one of my areas of specialized frequencyresearch.

Solar activity has fallen (again) and the 10.7 cm solar flux is now 135, andthe daily SSN is 89.

This is a brief summary of key occupancies observed on January 10, 2012,from one of favourite field monitoring ites in the Warrandyte State Park, 1km east of central Melbourne, using the E5 receiver and two metres ofantenna,between 0400 and 0500.

Miami, Fl., Jan. 12, 2012 – More than 2,600 Cubans contacted Radio Martí for a chance to win one of six mopeds in a listener contest sponsored by the station.

The contest, which ran from Dec. 19 to Jan. 5, raffled off six mopeds donated by Cuban-Americans and provided important insight into the Cuban audience’s use of shortwave and AM radio as well as social media. Martí asked Cubans to call, e-mail, Twitter or subscribe to Facebook for a chance to win.

“The positive audience feedback for this moped raffle and our new forward-leaning programming reinforces our program choices,” said Carlos García Pérez, Director of Radio and TV Martí. “It is compelling to hear from Cubans about attitudinal changes on the island, incremental changes underway, and how closely connected they continue to feel to the U.S. and Cuban-American community in particular.”

The listener contest is part of a year-long effort by Radio and TV Martí to reshape programming to better match the interests of young Cubans who face economic hardships as well as ongoing political restrictions. Through numerous focus groups with Cubans who have recently arrived in the U.S., as well as daily call-in programs and contests like these, Cubans consistently express their interests in technology, economic opportunities, entertainment and connecting with Americans.

The Martís have responded with a series of program initiatives to make programming relevant to the day-to-day lives of young people on the island. Shows like Avanza Cuba (Cuba Forward), look at the incremental changes underway in Cuba and future opportunities in technology and business; while El Revotillo (The Scramble) provides an on-air market for trading goods and services; and other news and entertainment programs foster enhanced audience participations through mobile, online and social media tools.

The Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which is funded by the U.S. government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors, was established in 1990 to oversee the operations of Radio and TV Martí, which broadcast news and information to the people of Cuba.(VOA)

Babcock International Group (Babcock) has won a 10-year contract to continue providing services relating to the transmission and distribution of radio and television for the BBC World Service.

The contract was awarded to Babcock following a rigorous competitive process. It is designed to ensure that the BBC receives the optimum value for money that continues to deliver high levels of service for its audience. The contract start date is 1 April 2012; it is worth circa £200 million over 10 years.

Babcock has been a trusted delivery partner for the BBC World Service for 15 years, and has ensured that the BBC World Service reached its audience of 166 million. Under the terms of the new contract, Babcock will build upon this heritage and provide essential support to ensure that the BBC provides a reliable and resilient service to its global audience. This will include:

Friday, January 06, 2012

Thanks to Bob Padula for sending in his monitoring observations. What are you hearing on shortwave ?

HF propagation into Melbourne continues to be very good in our early to mid-afternoons, on 11 MHz and 13 MHz, with all continents represented.

According to the IPS in Sydney, solar activity is still classified as "low", with the 10.7 cm solar flux hovering around 135, and the daily SSN around 94.

This means that long-haul multi-hop, multi-modal propagation on darkness or semi-darkness path on frequencies over about 15 MHz will continue to be unreliable, but daylight long-haul circuits will be satisfactory.

MalaysiaIn recent weeks, there has been no sign of any activity, as observed from Melbourne, for the Voice of Malaysia English or Malay services on 15295, 9750 and 6175 in its scheduled period 0400-1000. It could be assumed that these services have been discontinued. The Indonesian (1200-1400 9750 6175) and Chinese (1000-1200 11885 6175 and 15295) services have not yet been confirmed. The domestic networks continue as before, and are observed on 11665 (War FM) 9835 (Sarawak studio Malay) 5965 (Domestic Malay) and 7295 (Domestic English)

DAYTIME ASIAN SPECIALIZED MODE-------------------------------The December/January midday specialized Asian mode from Asia, historically appearing on 5, 6, 7, and 9 MHz in the late morning and noon periods here in Melbourne, have failed to materialize this summer. This Mode was supported by specialized propagation via reflection off the top of Sporadic-E clouds above Northern Australia with no intermediate ground reflection, with path length up to 11,000 km in broad daylight.

This phenomenon was "discovered" by some of us way back in the 1950s, and its study had long been a target for serious propagation research every summer here in Victoria, particularly during years of low sunspot activity.

There's still three weeks remaining for this "window", and perhaps it may yet appear?!

Jonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective.

This week: Family ties

Steve Lickteig thought he was the adopted son of Kansas farmers, only to discover a shocking truth that everyone in town knew, except him. Jerry Winkler was a homeless man in Amsterdam when he discovered that his late father was a millionaire. And an Australian composer turns grief into a soaring requiem after the tragic loss of his son.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

Earth BeatMarnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we’re leaving on our planet.

This week:

We showcase the best of 2011. A garbage anthropologist. Rats that sniff out landmines. Two men who crossed a landscape – in the canopies of its trees. A man who lives off the land. And saving Iraq’s marshes. A selection of our most interesting people and topics from the last year.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia WiredStories from South Asia.

This week:

The remarkable story of Sri Kumaré, an Indian guru who managed to attract many followers during a recent visit to the US state of Arizona. The trip was filmed by an American documentary film crew and the result, simply titled Kumaré, has now been released in cinemas. Except, not everything in the film is what it seems...

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday 12 January)

First airing: Thursday 10:00 UTC

Bridges With AfricaWe're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa.

This week:

World music star Youssou N’Dour takes on Senegal’s veteran leader Abdoulaye Wade in next month’s presidential election.The rapper who’s challenging Al Shabab for the hearts and minds of Somali youth.It started off as a health campaign in Uganda. Now it’s a dance floor hit. We bring you the ‘Condom Song’.

Leila’s story is that of thousands of young African women who dream of a better life and end up being forced into prostitution in Europe. This phenomenon is often described as “modern slavery”. Officially, it is called human trafficking.

In this edition, she and Joyce tell us about their shattered dreams. Leila has advice for young women in similar situations.

Leila’s story is that of thousands of young African women who dream of a better life and end up being forced into prostitution in Europe. This phenomenon is often described as “modern slavery”. Officially, it is called human trafficking.

In this edition, she and Joyce tell us about their shattered dreams. Leila has advice for young women in similar situations.

First airing: Monday 19:00 UTC

A selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2010 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

This week: Ninth Life - by Alison Grove (UK). Too late for love?

First airing: Tuesday 01:50 UTC

Global PerspectiveWho says I can’t… is the motto of this year’s collaboration of international broadcasters, offering stories of defiance and perseverance.

This week: Who Says I Can’t have sex?

Broadcaster John Blades from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has a significant disability and he’ll be your guide on a journey through the uncharted waters of sexuality and the disabled. Just a warning: the programme contains material of an adult nature.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

European Jazz StageUnique jazz performances from the continent’s hottest clubs, concert halls and festivals, including the spectacular North Sea Jazz Festival.

This week:

Benjamin Herman trawled through the RNW archives in the basement, and this is what he came up with. A selection of the Netherlands' best jazz performers of the 20th century: Toon van Vliet Quartet, The Diamond Five (with Milly Scott), the Pim Jacobs Trio with Holland's First Lady of Jazz, Rita Reys, and a band called the Tower of Babel.

First airing: Monday 01:00 UTC

RNW ClasswicalClassical concerts from the Royal Concertgebouw as well as studio recordings of Dutch performers, presented by Hans Haffmans.

6134.814, Radio Santa Cruz, 0030-0100. Not much can be heard with a strong station on 6135 KHz that is swapping Santa Cruz. However, underneath, it's possible to hear a female in Spanish with comments that are barely audible. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

5990, Radio Senado. Terrific reception this week, very early, noted several mornings blowing in with a big signal on nice clear frequency. At 0755 with Portuguese pop song, followed by taped ID extravaganza at 0801, with chimes. Male announcer in echo, mentions of frequencies and ondas curtas, "Bom Dia!" and another ID as "Radio Senado, a música regional de . . ." Then into a program of ranchera-like musical selections. Also pinning the S-meter needle at 0959 on 12/30. (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre)

4865.03, Radio Verdes Florestas, Cruz do Sul. Signal holding up quite late most mornings, from approx 1000 sign-on to nearly 1100, and at times, surprisingly, the best Latin in the 60 meter band here. Heard wiht segued ballads, no announcements at all until 1055 when into an ID sequence -- live male announcer with clear "Radio Verdes Florestas!" ID and then female with canned ID and frequency run-down. Propagation on this one behaves much more like a Peruvian than a Brazilian, thanks to far western Brazil location. Holds up long after other Brazilians like 4885 have faded away. (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre)

Chad6164.96, RNT, 2225-2256, French talk. Local Afro-pop music and French pop ballads. Fair to good but with some adjacent channel splatter. Still running past their normal 2230 sign off time. (Brian Alexander, PA)

China4800.00, China National Radio 1, 1130-1145. Noted different individuals in Chinese with comments during the period. Search for parallel broadcast and could hear a threshold signal on 9630 KHz only. The broadcast on 4800 was at a fair level during the entire period. (Chuck Bolland, FL)

4940.073, Voice of Strait, 1055-1110. Prior to the hour, noted a female in Chinese with comments. On the hour heard time tones - 4 short one long, followed with male's Chnese comments and possibly news. Music to 1107, signal never really good enough to listen for pleasure. (CHuck Bolland, FL)

Clandestine1450-1600* Denge Mezopotamya via Ukraine. Indigenous vocals. Kurdish instrumental music. Talk in listed Kurdish. 5 time pips at 1600 followed by a short announcementand off. Poor. Weak but readable. Still running past their normal 1500 sign off time. Also tentatively heard on 7540 at 1601 sign on with a threshold signal. (Brian Alexander-PA)

Laos6130 RN Lao, Vientiane. Highlight of the month has been the reemergence of this one, loggable on many mornings. Was best in early Dec, after Chuck Rippel tip, but still hearing this week tho not as well as earlier in Dec (12 / 3,4,5,6). Propagation window for here opens up around 1245 and holds thru 1300+, tho was hearing as early as 1230 in early Dec. Best signal was on 12/4 with very enjoyable pgm of Laotian pop music -- very familiar to me after my years of working in Laos. Very enjoyable programming! Usually tones on the hour, but one time noted playing straight thru on a local Sun night in Laos. (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre)

Madagascar5010.18, Radio Madagasikara, *0229-0245. Sign on with local African pop music. Short 25 second interval signal at 0230 followed by choral national anthem. Opening announcements at 0233. Malagasy talk. Weak. Poor in noisy conditions. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Niger9704.99, LV du Sahel, 2230-2300*, French talk. Euro-pop and Afro-pop music. Local chants at 2255. Closing announcements at 2258 followed by flute interval signal. Choral national anthem at 2258:35. Two second test tone at 2300 and off. Poor to fair with some adjacent channel splatter. Irregular. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Nigeria6089.86, Radio Nigeria, Kaduna, 0605-0640. Vernacular talk. Local tribal music. Some talk a little muffled. Fair signal with Anguilla 6090 off the air. No sign of Brazil. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Oman15140, Radio Sultanate of Oman, 1428-1450. Tune-in to lite pop music. Chimes at 1433 followed by the usual filler theme music. ID. English news at 1434-1447. Pop music at 1448. Poor in local noise. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Peru6173.914, Radio Tawantinsuyo, 0040-0100. Male withb Spanish comments just under the noise. At 0044 music is presented, signal was threshold during the period.(Chuck Bolland, FL)

5039.38, Radio Libertad de Junin. Noted many mornings this month with poor-fair signal, often opening day's xmsn around *1000. Noted with taped organ and echo-voiced ID announcement at 1001 and then live announcer from 1004. Interestingly, this one seems to have become the most reliable Peruvian in the 60 meter band for me this winter, taking the crown from nominal 4790 Radio Vision de Chiclayo, which has been missing in action. Am hearing Junin more frequently even than Radio Tarma on nominal 4775. Unfortunately, it's a matter of this one being the best of a bad lot, as other Peruvians are just not coming thru very well this month (Ralph Perry, IL/Cumbre)

4775.00, Radio Tarma, 0055-0100. Noted a weak signal here with ballad type music.Interference from a fax of some sort, caused problems. Male with some Spanish comments interrupts the music at 0059. Signal was threshold. (Chuck Bolland,FL)

Rwanda6055, Radio Rwanda, 2030-2101*, Afro-pop music. Vernacular talk. Abrupt sign off. Fair to good. (Brian Alexander, PA)6055, Radio Rwanda, 2025-2300+, on late for NewYears celebrations with a wide variety of US pop, Euro-pop and Afro-pop music. Vernacular and French talk. Interviews. Party atmosphere at times. Possible national anthem at 2158. Speech at 2200. Possible national anthem again at 2205-2208 followedby local music. Fair. Weak co-channel QRM from India at their 2244 sign on. Covered by a strong Spain at their 2259 sign on but still slightly heard under Spain. (Brian Alexander, PA)

AUSTRALIA RADIO AUSTRALIA 9,580 1342GMT EE 45534 31-DEC New Year's show. It's funny. I just am starting my day, and it's already tomorrow in Australia! End of transmission @ 1358. Then it came back with the IS at 1359 for a few seconds. Then it ended again. (RS)

AUSTRALIA RADIO AUSTRALIA 9,580 1219GMT EE 45444 02-JAN // 9,590 kHz. The audio here is muffled too. So it must be the source (i.e. tape recording) rather than the transmission.

Thursday, January 05, 2012

After surviving a court case against it and conceding to an arson attack on its broadcast facilities, donations have started pouring in to ELWA Ministries in Liberia to change the topography of the 137 acres of land it occupies.

Rev Kedrick L White, Executive Director ELWA Ministries, on Thursday 28 December, 2011 began a very brief press statement about the master plan. “As you may recall, on 8 November 2011, the ELWA radio building was burned to the ground. It was a major lost to our radio ministry; except for about 30% of our recordings everything was total lost - radio equipment, furniture and the building structure. We estimate a loss of US$250,000 and a replacement cost of about US$400,000.”

Rev White explained that many supporters in and out of the country have expressed a willingness to help ELWA rebuild its broken-down infrastructure. He said the construction of the new studio building begins in early 2012 and that the entire broadcast facility will be fully operational by next year.

According to the ELWA Ministries Director other construction related developments include a new high school, an amphitheatre, a guest house, the refurbishing of the ELWA housing stock and a new hospital. Money for the construction of the hospital to the tune of US$3.5 million is made available by the Charity Group Samaritan Purse in fulfillment of earlier promise made by its founder and president the world Evangelist Franklin Graham, son of the legendary world evangelist Billy Graham when he visited Liberia in March 2011.

ELWA Ministries had a tough time last year when its legitimate ownership of the 137 acres of land it occupies was challenged by the Government of Liberia in court. The government, after acrimonious confrontation with ELWA Ministries, took the matter to court in an attempt to retrieve the land which it considered as its property. But facts surrounding the land revealed that the said property was duly given to ELWA as an eleemosynary grant, by an act of the national legislature, a tribal certificate and a well probated deed by the late President Tubman Administration.(Source: The Analyst/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)